Beauty Changes Lives Names First Sassoon Scholarship Winners

The Beauty Changes Lives (BCL) Foundation named the first set of awardees of the Vidal Sassoon Professional Beauty Education Scholarship Program at the Spring Operations Conference of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), BCL’s parent body.

The program is funded by a $1.5 million grant established by Wella, the Salon Division of P&G, to award scholarships to beginning cosmetologists and working hairdressers seeking advanced training. For this first round, 10 basic students receive 50 percent of tuition costs, while 10 licensed hairdressers are granted $5,000 toward coursework at the Sassoon Academies.

“In today’s educational environment, it is the rare scholarship that covers 50 percent of tuition,” said Lynelle Lynch, president of the Beauty Changes Lives Foundation board. “Through the gift of education, Wella and Beauty Changes Lives are collaborating to help individuals achieve their professional goals, whether they’re just starting out on their career path or striving to reach the industry’s highest echelons,” Lynch added.

Beginning in January, 786 applicants sought scholarships through the Beauty Changes Lives Foundation. Applicants submitted essays and video statements explaining how they intend to carry on the late Vidal Sassoon’s commitment to creativity, craftsmanship, professional drive and love of learning in their own careers. May 9 is the one-year anniversary of the beauty icon’s death.

“Vidal was a visionary who made the art and craft of hair design integral to the beauty and fashion industry,” said Reuben Carranza, CEO of Wella North America. “Our foundation grant and this scholarship program allow his passion and creativity to live on by educating future high-achieving professionals.”

Following are the recipients of the first round of Vidal Sassoon Professional Beauty Education Scholarships. Details on their future plans and excerpts from the winning applications will be found at www.beautychangeslives.org.

The Vidal Sassoon Professional Beauty Education Scholarship Program is a five-year effort. The second wave of scholarship competition begins August 5, 2013 with an Oct. 11, 2013 deadline. More information is available at www.beautychangeslives.org/scholarships.

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About the Author:

Anne Moratto

Anne Moratto’s well-rounded beauty career includes years in beauty public relations, beauty marketing, beauty manufacturing, and now, with MODERN SALON, in beauty publishing. The through-line has been an intense interest in all things beauty and a sincere appreciation for the skilled artists and entrepreneurs who make the industry so vital, compelling and creative. Anne, a native of Wisconsin, lives with her family in Los Angeles, CA, and is MODERN SALON’s West Coast Beauty and Special Markets Editor.